Plans have been unveiled to turn a former pub famous for serving Britain’s cheapest roast dinner into four flats.

The Grade II-listed Britannia in Fort Hill, Margate, dates back to about 1828 and hit national headlines in 2019 when the landlord began serving £1 Sunday roasts.

Unfortunately, the following January the inn closed its doors for good, citing rising costs, and it has remained empty ever since.

Now, a bid to “reinvigorate” the venue by converting it into four flats by building a two-storey extension to the rear, and adding two semi-detached cottages in the beer garden, has been submitted.

Documents lodged by architects Ian Barber Associates say: “The proposals ensure that the existing building will be complemented by the new works, allowing for a positive addition to the site without detriment to the locality.

“They will improve the living quality and standard of the existing building and future occupiers, while not unacceptably intruding into the landscape and street scene or the listed building.”

Developers promise to retain the existing historical features of the 19th century public house, including an internal flint wall.

They also hope to reinstate some which have been lost throughout the pub’s lifetime such as sash windows, and remove modern partition walls.

The architects add: “There have been various alterations to the existing building over time, not all in character with the age and style of the property, consisting of extensions to the front side and rear, with many unsympathetic internal alterations.

“These new plans will provide life to the site and period building, and reinvigorate its continued use.”

The apartments will all have three bedrooms, as will the houses.

Behind the white castle-style wall at the front of the building, it is hexagonal in shape and has an incredibly rich history.

It was once owned by Cobbs Brewery, which made beer at an adjoining site demolished in the 1960s to make way for Margate police station.

It is rumoured the cellar connects to the Margate Caves and tunnels used by smugglers, and the tavern was used to house soldiers rescued from Dunkirk.

A skeleton was found under the floorboards in the 1980s and the publican of the time covered the portion of the floor with glass and displayed it.

In more recent times, it was known as a great music venue, and hundreds of people flocked from as far as Yorkshire to try the famous £1 roast.

The food – despite the meagre price tag – was highly enjoyed by all accounts, and landlord Paul Rollins said he made the money back by the extra advertising and customers.